Frequency of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Symptomatic Patients of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection in symptomatic patients attending pediatric department of Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Pediatric Medicine Department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Nov 2018 to Oct 2019.

Methodology: Children 2-5 years of age of either gender were included through non probability consecutive sampling.
History and complete clinical examination were performed whereas stool testing method was used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection. The presence of helicobacter pylori infection along with the predictor variables were observed.

Results: Of 164 children, the mean age of the children was 3.76±1.01 years. The frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection was 55(33.54%). The odds of Helicobacter pylori infection was 5.89 times considerably higher among patients with rural residence (AOR: 5.89,95% CI: 2.15-16.19), 9.79 times significantly higher among patients with abdominal pain (AOR: 9.79,95% CI: 2.24- 42.89), 8.74 times significantly higher among patients with lack of appetite (OR: 8.74,95% CI: 2.41-31.75), while 88% significantly lower odds of Helicobacter pylori infection was found among children who used filter water (AOR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02- 0.95).

Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori infection was found in considerable number of symptomatic children in our cohort. A thorough understanding of Helicobacter pylori's characteristics and potential risk factors would be important in child management
strategies.